Cardinals' Arians: Andre Ellington is still the focal point of the offense

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(2/19/15) Cardinals coach Bruce Arians told reporters that running back Andre Ellington's role "hopefully will expand" next season. Ellington was limited last season after he split the tendon in his left foot and couldn't practice as much as Arians desired.

"He's still the focal point of our offense and we'll try to build around him," Arians said.

Ellington, who is signed through the 2016 season, underwent hernia surgery in early December. He was limited to 12 games by a variety of injuries and finished with 1,055 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington running again

by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(1/15/15) Cardinals running back Andre Ellington, who underwent hernia surgery in early December, tweeted Thursday that he "felt good running for the first time again." Ellington was limited to 12 games by a variety of injuries and finished with 1,055 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns.

He's signed through the 2016 season.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington goes under the knife Tuesday

Ellington was placed on injured reserve on Monday after failing to play Week 14 against Kansas City due to an assortment of injuries. His 2014 campaign ends with 201 carries for 660 yards and three touchdowns. He caught 46 passes for 395 yards and two touchdowns.

Cardinals' Andre Ellington placed on season-ending IR

by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(12/8/14) The Cardinals officially placed running back Andre Ellingtonon the injured reserve Monday after learning he would need surgery for a hernia. Ellington was also dealing with foot and hip injuries throughout the season.

Ellington finishes the year with 201 attempts for 660 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 46 receptions for 395 yards and two touchdowns.

Cardinals putting RB Andre Ellington (hernia) on injured reserve

by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(12/7/14) Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said after Sunday's win that the team will place running back Andre Ellington on season-ending injured reserve due to a sports hernia, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter. Ellington missed his first game Week 14 but had been ineffective recently as he dealt with multiple injuries, including foot and hip problems.

Coach Bruce Arians said Monday he doesn't think Ellington will need surgery on his foot, just the hernia.

Ellington finishes the year with 660 rushing yards, 395 receiving yards and five total touchdowns.

Andre Ellington could be a breakout star this season, and he's someone to target on Draft Day as early as Round 3 in the majority of leagues. Ellington was the No. 24 running back in standard leagues as a rookie in 2013 despite sharing playing time with Rashard Mendenhall, who is now retired. He had 118 carries for 652 yards and three touchdowns and 39 catches for 371 yards and one touchdown. His 5.5 yards per carry led the NFL among running backs with at least 100 carries, and he had 9.5 yards per catch -- his averages are very similar to C.J. Spiller circa 2012 (6.0 yards per carry and 10.7 yards per catch). With Mendenhall out of the way, Ellington should see a boost in touches, so he could reach 1,500 total yards and seven touchdowns. By comparison, Reggie Bush had 1,512 total yards and seven touchdowns last year and was the No. 11 Fantasy running back in standard leagues. Stepfan Taylor and possibly Jonathan Dwyer will help replace Mendenhall, but coach Bruce Arians has spoken highly of Ellington all offseason. We're buying into Ellington this year, and he hopefully he'll live up to the hype of his breakout campaign.
(Updated 6/4/14)